There is indisputable empirical evidence that TARP has succeeded. The problem is that there were insufficient safeguards put in place to protect taxpayers that were similar to what private investors like Goldman Sachs and Warren Bufftet received.

There is also indisputable empirical evidence that Obama's stimulus program has mitigated unemploymentt. The problem is that in order to secure a few Republican votes in order to overcome a partisan filibuster, they had to weaken it by removing aid to state and local governments. As a result, states are being forced to cut spending and raises taxes, which is bad policy in a recession.

McConnell's comments are true; from the perspective of a corrupt Congress and the patrons that fund them, the bailout was a huge success. Unbelievable amounts of our tax dollars were used to save the asses of the investment banking industry, despite all claims of a free economy. The bonus money was saved, and the lives and income of those who made the worst investments in history are protected, while those of us who actually work for a living are working harder than ever. The bailout was (and will be remembered as) the most disingenuous and dishonest moments in the history of our nation.

McConnell and his friends are simply unaware of the reality for most small businessmen like myself, who could not get the bank to re-negotiate my terms if my life depended upon it. Too big to fail will be the mantra from this day forward. Sad, dishonest, and corrupt.

McConnell's word should have been taken out and shot because he is simply parsing words in order to admit that he was in error when the first time it was voted on in order to save the capitalist system that has no safeguard to protect the taxpayer who got the raw end of the deal- refusal to tell us where the money went is one example. All the Republicans have done is obfuscate, fight and outright lied in order to save the bankers so they can continue to donate to the GOP. To both parties, it is the maintenance of the status quo..

The state government got the money but they decided to use the money to cover their deficit due to falling revenues. Local government got the shovel ready project money instead of getting money like the state government. You have to admit that many of the states cut the permanent tax in the good times without realizing,in the long run, that it will bite them back when things goes south.

Senator McConnell is blurting out statements that cant be substantiated with facts. This is what politicians have to do when they are in the grips of wild-eyed panic. You see, Senator McConnell fears that the voting citizen has lost faith in his ability to lead. Not to imply that Senator McConnell was ever really a leader, but years earlier it didnt matter.

All Senator McConnell had to do was "bring home the bacon". But the economics have changed. No longer does the government spend money on public works projects that create jobs and actually add value to something. Nowadays, Senator McConnell foolishly believes that printing up "money" and passing it around to the plebians will make them "stimulate" the "economy" by "buying stuff".

The sad little senator doesnt realize the underlying principle of New Deal Era economics........the government has to stimulate production that causes payrolls to grow. Senator McConnell probably considers the Weimar Republic a success too.

Kentuckians.........stand up for yourselves.......do NOT re-elect McConnell. He is useless.

I agree and give McConnell credit for being honest enough to say this. The right wing screamers and becoming literally unbearable in their mindless oppostion to anything the democrats do or say. And I myself am a comitted capitalist, Ayn Rand conservative, etc. In other words, I also oppose much of the leftist agenda, but this bailout was totally necessary.

Over many years the US gov't. implicitly guaranteed trillions of dollars through it's GSE's Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. At the time of TARP, I believed the Full Faith and Credit of the US gov't. was called upon to make good on it's guarantee. I still do. Making the original guarantee was the error, not making good on the guarantee.

The moral of the story is the gov't. should not create moral hazards. (Sorry if this double posts).

Over many years the US gov't. implicitly guaranteed trillions of dollars through it's GSE's Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. At the time of TARP, I believed the Full Faith and Credit of the US gov't. was called upon to make good on it's guarantee. I still do. Making the original guarantee was the error, not making good on the guarantee.

The moral of the story is the gov't. should not create moral hazards. (Sorry if this double posts).

Awesome.....hahahahahaha.....after Sen Ghraham chastized Beck publically, this could be the last straw for conservative kooks. That loud bang you heard from down the street was a conservative head exploding....hahahahaha